Back to Tim Keller's book: This time "The Clues of God"

It's exciting to be back to Tim Keller's book. We've finished looking at the first part which argued that there are no sufficient reasons for disbelieving Christianity. The second part focuses on outlining reasons for believing it.

The first chapter of the second part is called "The Clues of God".

Though there cannot be irrefutable proof for the existence of God, many people have found strong clues for his reality - divine fingerprints - in many places.

The mysterious bang

Those of a more rational mind-set have always been fascinated by the question "Why is there something rather than nothing?". Something had to make the Big Bang happen - but what? However, even if we accept that our universe simply had to be created by an intelligent being, this would not suggest that this being is necessarily the God of the Bible. That is right. If we are looking at this as an argument proving the existence of a personal God, it doesn't get us all the way there. However, if we are looking for a clue - a clue that there is something besides the natural world - it is very provocative for many people.

The Cosmic Welcome Mat

For organic life to exist, the fundamental regularities and constants of physics - the speed of light, the gravitational constant, the strength of the weak and strong nuclear forces - must all have values that together fall into an extremely narrow range. This has been called the "fine-tuning argument". Some have argued that we are just by random accident in one of many different universes in which organic life occurred. Though you could not prove that the fine-tuning of the universe was due to some sort of design, it would be unreasonable to draw the conclusion that it wasn't. Although organic life could have just happened without a Creator, does it make sense to live as if that infinitely remote chance is true?

The Clue-Killer

In our culture there is a very influential school of thought that claims to have the answers to all of these so-called clues. This is the school of evolutionary biology that claims everything about us can be explained as a function of natural selection. Dawkins and others admit that since we are the product of natural selection we can't completely trust our own senses. In other words, paranoid false beliefs are often more effective in helping you survive than accurate ones. I don't believe Dawkins or other evolutionary theorist realise the full implications of this crucial insight. Evolution can only be trusted to give us cognitive faculties that help us live on, not to provide ones that give us an accurate and true picture of the world around us. Hence, according to evolutionary biology, laws of reason would have to make sense to us only because they help us survive, not because they necessarily tell us truth.

(...)

Of course, none of the clues we have been looking for actually proves God. Every one of them is rationally avoidable. However, their cumulative effect is, I think, provocative and potent. The theory that there is a God who made the world accounts for the evidence we see better than the theory that there is no God. Those who argue against the existence of God go right on using induction, language and their cognitive faculties, all of which make far more sense in a universe in which a God has created and supports them all by his power.

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.127-142

Two simple but very effective ways to convince people...

(1) Be polite but persistent

Express what you need in a very respectful and polite way. Wait for the others reaction. If it is not positive then repeat your request and mention at least one additional argument. Be slow to respond and leave some moments of silence. Often the other person cannot bear the silence and will accept to comply with your request.

(2) Counter an argument with "That is exactly why..."

When confronted with an argument start your counter-argument with "That is exactly why we (should follow my alternative approach)...".

Nick Vujicic - Life Without Limbs

We often get so upset about various aspects of our lives e.g. our looks or what our parents did or didn't do. Looking at Nick Vujicic who was born without arms and legs and still has such a passion for life, helps so much to focus on the really important things in life.

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick

Which things in your life are you upset with? Which excuses have you been using why you can't change the changeable things? What has kept you away from accepting those things that are out of your control?

Be honest with yourself. It is so worth it.

Movie "Faith Like Potatoes"

A great movie telling the story of a South-African farmer. It is great example of finding purpose and real meaning in life despite all the trials along the way. Very inspiring.

Movie "Facing the Giants"

This is another great sports movie of an underdog football team and its coach who have faced lacking motivation and mediocre performance for years. It shows a great example of personal transformation, inspirational leadership and self-sacrificial team effort. Above all, I think it is a great example of how much more we achieve in life if we stop doing things just for ourselves and instead do it to honour and please the one who created us.

Some Thoughts on the Movies "Bruce Almighty" and "Evan Almighty"

Even though these are entertaining Hollywood movies there are some interesting lessons to learn from them.

• Like Bruce and Evan you can be successful in your own strength. However, what is possible if you partner with God is so much better and joyful. Moreover, it will continue to have value after your death which will inevitably arrive one day.
• God is patient even when we repeatedly come up with silly reasons why we think we can manage our life better on our own. After all the one who really suffers from our strife for independence is ourselves.
• God often reveals his plans one small detail at a time. This can be frustrating at times if we are impatient but allows us to show real trust in him. If we knew everything beforehand we would not need to have faith in him.

With all information in life it is your decision whether you allow it to change you or not. Partnering with Jesus - rather than continue to bustle around solely in my own strength - has had such a tremendous positive impact on my life.

You can't take the bible literally... What makes you so sure about that?

Some people see the Bible as historically inaccurate and think that much of his content has been fabricated by church leaders over time in order to gain and maintain power. Much of this thinking has been influenced by contemporary fictional books such as The Da Vinci Code.

However, there are several good reasons why the Gospel accounts should be considered historically reliable rather than legends. These can be very briefly summarised as the following:

The timing is far too early for the Gospels to be legends

The canonical Gospel were written at the very most forty to sixty years after Jesus' death. Paul's letters, written just fifteen to twenty-five years after the death of Jesus, provide an outline of all the events of Jesus' life found in the Gospels. It is not only Christ's supporters who were still alive but also many bystanders, officials and opponents who had actually heard him teach, seen his actions and watched him die. For a highly altered, fictionalised account of an event to take hold in the public imagination it is necessary that the eyewitnesses (and their children and grandchildren) all be long dead. The Gospels were written far too soon for this to occur.

The content is far too counterproductive for the Gospels to be legends

Why would the leaders of the early Christian movement have made up the story of the crucifixion of it didn't happen? Why would any Christian make up the account of Jesus asking God in the garden of Gethsemane if he could get out of his mission? Why show in multiple instances how the disciples doubted Jesus? Why invent women as the first witnesses of the resurrection in a society where women were assigned such low status that their testimony was not admissible evidence in court?

The literary form of the Gospels is too detailed to be legend

In modern novels, details are added to create the aura of realism, but that was never the case in ancient fiction. The amount of detail in the Gospels that often are unnecessary to the main plot, hence indicate that the text is not fiction. If a modern day person was making up a story about Jesus he or she would include additional and often unnecessary details just to fill out the story's air of realism. But that kind of fictional writing was unknown in the first century.

If you like to listen to listen to some more free material, then a brilliant audio talk about the topic in mp3 format carried out by Mark Dever can be downloaded here: http://www.thisisnext.org/audio/dl_dialog.php?filename=na-2008/02%20The%20Authority%20of%20Scripture.mp3

Moreover, Tim Keller's excellent and comprehensive series is available for free here: http://thereasonforgod.com/media.php

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.97-114

Science Has Disproved Christianity... Really?

Scientific mistrust of the Bible began with the Enlightenment belief that miracles cannot be reconciled to a modern, rational view of the world. The premise behind such a claim is 'Science has disproved that there is no such thing as miracles'. But embedded in such a statement is a leap of faith.

It is one thing to say that science is only equipped to test for natural causes and cannot speak to any others. It is quite another to insist that science proves that no other causes could possibly exist. However, when studying a phenomenon a scientist must always assume there is a natural cause. That is because natural causes are the only kind its methodology can address. It is another thing to insist that science has proven there can't be any other kind. There would be no experimental model for testing the statement 'No supernatural cause for any natural phenomenon is possible'. It is therefore a philosophical presupposition and not a scientific finding.

The next hidden premise is 'There can't be a God who does miracles'. It fails to acknowledge that if there is a Creator God, there is nothing illogical at all about the possibility of miracles. After all this God created everything. To be sure that miracles cannot occur you would have to be sure beyond a doubt that God didn't exist, and that is an article of faith. The existence of God can neither be demonstrably proven nor disproven.

Moreover, it is vital to consider a large number of scientists that see no incompatibility between faith in God and their work. However, modern media emphasises a conflict between Evolutionist and Creationists but fails to paint a more realistic and diversified picture of what is actually being discussed. Very interesting is also that many atheist do not believe in evolution.

The relation between evolutionary theory and the book of Genesis also depends on how the way scripture is interpreted. As one commentator puts it: "If evolution is elevated to the status of a world-view of the way things are, then there is direct conflict with biblical faith. But if evolution remains at the level of scientific biological hypothesis, it would seem that there is little reason for conflict between the implications of Christian belief in the Creator and the scientific explorations of the way which - at the level of biology - God has gone about his creating processes."

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.84-96

How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?

I our Western culture today, divine judgement is one of Christianity's most offensive doctrines. Although it is easy to understand that some people are distressed by this teaching, we find a number of hidden beliefs in their position. The following two are an example:

(A) A God of Judgement Simply Can't Exist

It appears that one of the most fundamental beliefs in our postmodern society today is that moral truth is relative to individual consciousness. Our culture therefore, has no problem with a God of love who supports us no matter how we live. It does, however, object strongly to the idea of a God who punishes people for their sincerely held beliefs, even if they are mistaken.

This objection, however, has a history to it. In ancient times it was understood that there was a transcendent moral order outside the self, built in to the fabric of the universe. Modernity reversed this. Ultimate reality was seen not so much as a supernatural order but as the natural world, and that was malleable. Instead of trying to shape our desires to fit reality, we now seek to control and shape reality to fit our desires.

Interestingly, if Christianity is the truth, it would have to be offending and correcting your thinking at some place. Maybe this place is exactly the doctrine of divine judgement.

(B) A God of Judgement Can't Be a God of Love

All loving people are sometimes filled with anger, not just despite but because of their love. If you really love a person and you see someone ruining them - even they themselves - you get angry. Anger is not the opposite of love, but hate is. Also, if God were not angry at injustice and deception and did not make a final end to violence - that God would not be worthy of worship. Moreover, it is vital to consider the highly beneficial aspects of divine judgement with regards to society and world peace. Trusting that God will eventually bring justice to a situation will give people the power to forgive and resist the impulse of seeking personal vengeance and an endless vicious cycle of retaliation.

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.68-83

I don't believe in God because the church is responsible for so much injustice... Have you thought that through properly?

Many people who take an intellectual stand against Christianity do so against a background of personal disappointment with Christians and churches.

Hence, it's necessary to address the behaviour of Christians - individual and corporate - that has undermined the plausibility of Christianity for so many people. First, there's issue of Christian's character flaws. Second, there's the issue of war and violence. Third, there's issue of fanaticism.

Character flaws: If Christianity is true, why are so many non-Christians living better lives than Christians? This reasoning is based on a mistaken belief concerning what Christianity actually teaches about itself. Growth in character and changes in behaviour occur in a gradual process after a person becomes a Christian. This means, though that the church will be filled with immature and broken people who still have a long way to go emotionally, morally and spiritually. There's much truth in the saying "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints"." Good character is largely attributable to a loving, safe and stable family and social environment - conditions for which we were NOT responsible. Many have had instead an unstable family background, poor role models and a history of tragedy and disappointment. As a result, they are burdened with deep insecurities, hypersensitivity, and a lack of self-confidence. They may struggle with uncontrolled anger, shyness, addictions and other difficulties as a result.

Church and violence: If Christianity is the truth, why has the institutional church supported war, injustice and violence over the years? Many unbelievers see the belief in one true God as one of the main reasons for war and conflict in history. There are, however, significant problems with this view. The Communist Russian, Chinese and Cambodian regimes of the 20th century all rejected all organised religion and belief in God. These societies were all rational and secular, yet each produced massive violence against its own people without the influence of religion. The reason is that society will automatically "transcendentalise" something else, some other concept, in order to appear morally and spiritually superior. The Marxist made the State into such an absolute, while the Nazis did it to race and blood. Obviously there is also the terrible reality that violence has been done in the name of Christ e.g. during the Crusades. In the 20th century, however, violence has been inspired as much by secularism as by moral absolutism. We can only conclude that there is some violent impulse so deeply rooted in the human heart that it expresses itself regardless of what the beliefs of a particular society might be. Ultimately, then, the fact of violence and warfare in a society is no necessary refutation of the prevailing beliefs of that society.

Fanaticism: Many people are repulsed by Christians who appear intolerant and self-righteous. Interestingly, what strikes us when observing overly fanatical and judgemental Christians is the failure to be fully committed to Christ and his Gospel. The essence of Christianity is salvation by grace, salvation not because of what we do but because of what Christ has done for us. There is nothing to boast about and no basis at all for feelings of superiority with regards to Non-Christians.

Furthermore, when mentioning the argument of injustice in the name of Christ (which is obviously terribly wrong), many people forget to consider all the amazing acts of justice that Christians have carried out. These include the abolition of the African slave trade which was driven by Christian activists such as William Wilberforce in Great Britain, John Woolman in America and many others who devoted their entire lives, in the name of Christ, to ending slavery. Another great example was the Christian pastor Martin Luther King fighting for desegregation and civil rights in the US. The list of martyrs who stood up for the oppressed in Jesus' name is very long and also includes Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador and German theologian Dietriech Bonnhoeffer.

Conclusion: When people have done injustice in the name of Jesus Christ, they are not being true to the spirit of the one who himself died as victim of injustice and who called for the forgiveness of his enemies. When people give their lives to liberate others as Jesus did, they are realising the true Christianity that Martin Luther King, Jr, Dietrich Bonnheoffer and other Christian voices have called for.

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.51-67

Believing in Christ is a Straitjacket... Really?

Is the belief in absolute truth the enemy of freedom? Many people say so and see claims of absolute truth mainly motivated by the desire to control people.

However, the objection that all truth is a power play falls prey to the same problem as the objection that all truth is culturally conditioned. If you try to explain away all assertions of truth as one or the other or something else you find yourself in an untenable position. If you say all truth-claims are power plays, then so is your statement. If you say (like Freud) that all truth claims about religion and God are just psychological projections to deal with your guilt and insecurity, then so is your statement. To see through everything is not to see.

Moreover, some people criticise Christianity as it requires particular beliefs in order to be a member of its community. In the new "liberal democracy" common moral beliefs are seemingly not necessary - if everybody respects the privacy and rights of others and works for equal access to education, jobs and political decision-making for all.

However, this is a vast oversimplification as does not pass the test of further scrutiny. This "liberal democracy" is based on an extensive list of assumptions - a preference of individual to community rights, a division between private and public morality, and the sanctity of personal choice. All of these beliefs are foreign to many other cultures. "Liberal democracy" (as is every community) is based on a shared set of very particular beliefs. Western society is based on shared commitments to reason, rights and justice, even though there is no universally recognised definition of any of these. The idea of a totally inclusive community is therefore an illusion. Every human community holds in common some beliefs that necessarily create boundaries, including some people and excluding others from its circle.

Furthermore, any community that did not hold its members accountable for specific beliefs and practices would have no corporate identity and would not really be a community at all. We cannot consider a group exclusive simply because it has standards for its members. Here is a far better set of tests: which community has beliefs that lead its members to treat people in other communities with love and respect - to serve them and meet their needs? Which community's beliefs lead it to demonise and attack those who violate their boundaries rather than treating them with kindness, humility and winsomeness?

We should criticise Christians when they are condemning and ungracious to unbelievers. But we should not criticise churches when they maintain standards for membership in accord with their beliefs. Every community must to the same.

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.35-50

How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?

Many people reject the idea of God because of all the unjust suffering in the world.

This point of view is based on a hidden premise, namely, that if evil appears pointless to me, then it must be pointless. This reveals within supposedly hard-nosed scepticism an enormous faith in one's own cognitive capabilities. It also ignores the character growth and personal development many people experience through their suffering.

Moreover, some people get mad at God. However, if you have a God great and transcendent enough to be mad at because he hasn't stopped evil and suffering in the world, then you have (at the same time) a God great and transcendent enough to have good reasons for allowing it to continue that you can't know. In fact, you cannot have it both ways.

Evil and suffering may be (if anything) evidence for God. Some atheists object the idea of God based on a sense of fair play and justice. People, we believe ought not to suffer, be excluded, die of hunger and oppression. However, the evolutionary mechanism of natural selection depends on death, destruction and violence of the strong against the weak - these things are all perfectly natural. On what basis then does the atheist judge the natural world to be horribly wrong, unfair and unjust? If you are sure that this natural world is unjust and filled with evil, you are assuming the reality of some extra-natural (or supernatural) standard by which to make your judgement.

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.22-34

A very interesting thought...

When a frog becomes a prince instantaneously, we call it a fairy tale.

When a frog becomes a prince over a very very long time, we call it modern evolutionary science.

There can't just be one way! ... Really?

Many people today struggle with the exclusivity of Christianity. It is also widely believed that religion in general is one of the main barriers to world peace. This is true. Religion can threaten peace.

However, within Christianity - robust, orthodox Christianity - there are rich resources that can make its followers agents for peaced on the earth. It provides a firm basis for respecting people of other faiths. E.g. the bibilical doctrine of the universal image of God, leads Christians to expect non-believers will be better than any of their mistaken beliefs could make them. Furthermore, Christian believers are NOT accepted by God because of their moral performance, wisdom or virtue, but because of Christ's work on their behalf.

It is common to say that 'fundamentalism' leads to violence, yet all of us have fundamental, unprovable faith commitments we think are superior of others. Common postmodern examples of such fundamental beliefs are:

• "There can't be just one way."
• "There can't be any absolute truth. Everything is relative."
• "All the ways lead to the same destination."

The real question then is which fundamentals will lead their believers to be the most loving and receptive to those with whom they differ?

We cannot skip lightly over the fact that there have been injustice done by the church in the name of Jesus Christ, yet who can deny that the force of Christians' most funadmental beliefs can be a powerful impetus for peace-making in our troubled world?

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.3-21

Book "The Reason For God" by Timothy Keller

I just started reading this brilliant book in which the author discusses the most common reasons why people do not believe in Jesus.

He starts with a quote that is just hilarious:

"I find your lack of faith - disturbing"

- Darth Vader -

More about the content of the book chapters will follow in the coming weeks. I highly recommend reading the book.

What you believe is not what you say you believe but what you do

I read this challenging quote in Donald Miller's book "Blue Like Jazz".

It's true. Too many people say they believe in something but their lifestyle speaks a very different language. In this case their words are just empty phrases and do not reflect their real beliefs which are expressed in their daily actions.

An example: Many people today say that they strongly believe in the value of tolerance. Yet, they struggle with forgiving people that have caused them hurt in the past. If you truly believe in something you have to live it with your life. Otherwise your words are worthless.

How about yourself? Do you still carry unforgiveness and offence in your heart?

If so, why don't you try praying to Jesus Christ and ask for his help?

Even if you don't believe in him he might help you.

Good reminder and practical example of goal focus: Personal Evangelism

I thought it'd be a good idea to give you a refresher of how we set S.M.A.R.T. goals and really take action. I was really inspired by a recent session at our church about Evangelism.

That is why I set myself the goal of telling 150 people about God by the end of 31 December 2010.

I communicated this to several people that I see regularly and that will hold me accountable to this. At the same time taking action and moving closer towards my vision provides me with an incredible amount of energy. I often ask myself if anyone really can live a satisfying life without having a vision and goals in place.

It would be great to hear of some of your goals and practical actions you take to make them happen. I look forward to your posts.

Never underestimate the difference you can make in this world... one step at a time

Ever single one of us was born for a purpose, is significant and can make an important difference in this life. How amazing is the story of this old man who evangelised on the streets of Sydney for about 40 years without every seeing a direct benefit? He did what he was called to do, persevered despite all discouragement and made a tremendous difference in so many people's lives. Have a listen to this 9 min message here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdspKNEzH54

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is intellectually credible and existentially satisfying

Have a listen to here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAlinY1PUNs&NR=1

What do you think of what Tim Keller says here?

Some Thoughts on the Movie "The Castle"

I watched the Australian movie "The Castle" yesterday for the first time. This movie is considered by many to be the best and most typical Australian movie ever. Apart from the very refreshing and typical Australian humour the story of a family defending their home against compulsory acquisition by the multi billion dollar company Airlink can teach us some very valuable life lessions:

(a) Never stop standing and speaking up for the right and just things in life. Even if seems hopeless in the natural keep fighting if you know it's right and you're called to do so.

(b) A home is much more than just a house, comprises family and can't be purchased with money. It's vitally important to prioritise community and family values above money and career if you truly desire to be happy and joyful in life.

(c) If we treat all people with respect and genuinely socialise without expecting anything in return so many unknown doors open. The movie shows this in form the Queen's counsel appearing and e.g. Zig Ziglar has said "You can achieve anything in life you want as long as you help enough other people get what they want".

And how about you? In which ways are you applying those three lessons in your own life?

Breaking strongholds in your life – why it’s important and how to do it

A stronghold can be defined as a "system of wrong values or beliefs we yield our will to and give control to, which unchallenged, then lodge themselves into our soul, our very personality" (Dianne Manusama). Strongholds can occur in various areas including the following:

• Anger (constantly and severely overreacting)
  
• Rejection (manifested in striving, drawing self-worth from external things, rejected people tend to reject others until they fully face pain of own rejection)
  
• Pride (Stubbornness, Blaming, secretly thinking "I can do better")
  
• Lust (Addiction to pornography, sexual images etc.)
  
• Jealousy (Striving, envy of other's success)
  

Probably everyone can find him/herself to a certain degree in those and other areas. It's usually a stronghold if this area really has a significant influence on how we live our lives. Breaking those strongholds allows us to break free from this oppression and truly walk in the freedom and joy that already has been won for us.

The most powerful way to break the stronghold in your life is to get together in a group and

1. Identify the recurring areas / lies in your life you most struggle with
   
2. Find at least 2-3 scriptures and other evidence to 'counter attack' each of these areas with truth
   

One example: The reoccurring thought "Nobody loves me. I have no family and I am totally on my own to make this life work" can be counter attacked with Romans 8:35-39 and a list of close friends in your life.

So when are you taking action to break strongholds in your life? What exactly are you going to do, when and together with whom?

Forgiveness – So important for our physical, mental and spiritual health

I learned again today how vital it is for our lives to forgive people who hurt and offend us. It is not about letting other people of the hook or saying that injustice is right. It is about maintaining a healthy relationship with God and trust him that he will eventually bring perfect justice to this imperfect and broken world.

Everyone has probably heard various messages on the topic but I was reminded today that there's much more to forgiveness than just saying "I forgive this person". Many of us have forgiven others in our mind but still carry offence and a deep longing for retaliation in our hearts. We're often not aware of this and are surprised if we react strangely when we suddenly see a person again that hurt us in the past.

That's why it's so important to really make a full list with all people who hurt us and bring it all humbly and honestly before God. First ask him to forgive you for having harbored all this unforgiveness in your heart. Second, specifically name the people of the list and declare that you are not longer holding on to the wish for justice/revenge etc.

Moreover it's not only about us forgiving others but also about us forgiving ourselves for all those moments were we've done wrong e.g. by being selfish and self-absorbed and thus neglecting to help others in desperate need around us.

Letting go of the hurt and offence in our hearts will have a wide range of positive effects on your life and will improve your health in all areas tremendously. It's so worth it. So, have you honestly dealt with ALL forgiveness in your heart? Are you sure? If not, when exactly will you take action to change this?

What we can do to shield ourselves from today’s hyperreal culture

I'm currently reading the excellent book "The Trouble with Paris" by Mark Sayers. Mark talks about how today's media culture drastically influences our perception of what life is about. Many people today feel that their lives are inadequate and insignificant only because they fall short of the ideal of celebrities, movie actors or computer game heroes.
I find this book a real eye opener and would like to recommend it to anyone of you who can at least partly identify her/himself with what was said in the previous paragraph. I would like to share some passages of the book here that particularly spoke to me:
"In many ways the real world is the flip side of hyperreality. It is the same world in which people have lived throughout the course of human history. I think that we know that deep down, but we prefer to live under the illusion that the hyperreal dream is just around the corner for us. The mundane nature of our real lives simply seems to make the glamour of the hyperreal world all the more appealing."
"With fast-paced music videos, action-packed video games, and a vast array of other forms of entertainment on offer to youth in the West, young people at the beginning of the 21^st century are accustomed to being constantly entertained […] Life is NOT edited like movies are. In reality we have to face the mundane nature of life: we have to wash the dishes, pay the bills, and rest our bodies to survive. […] When we do encounter the inevitable periods of the mundane in life, we become bored and see this as evidence of the poor nature of our lives. We say to ourselves that if our lives really meant something, we would not be bored; we would be doing something interesting all the time."
Mark goes on and offers a lot of practical help how to live a significant, meaningful and fulfilled life despite the often obtrusive media culture surrounding us. Such a great and helpful book!

How to enjoy your time at the gym and make the most out of it

I spoke to many people who really don't like spending time in the gym. Also my personal experience is that I often don't enjoy carrying out

It's a pity as the gym can really be a place where can spend our time efficiently and effectively by improving our health while enjoying it. I discovered a couple of simple things you can apply to have a much better time at the gym.

Save time

Choose a gym that is within max. 30min jogging distance from your living place. If you already dress up in gym clothing and run there you not only save the time changing your clothing but also the usual warm up time.

Don't compare yourself

The person next to you might have the perfect body but I guarantee you that he or she will envy you for some other part of your body e.g. the features of your face or your skin colour. Be aware of the fact that most people usually desire what they don't have at the moment.

Focus on your goals

Always keep in mind why you are here? Is it to please your spouse? Is it because of the great feeling that a healthy body gives you? Is it to look good in the new piece of clothing you just bought? Visualise how great it will feel when you accomplished your goal.

Take a friend with you

Everybody is so much more effective when other people are watching. It is also so much more fun to chat between different rounds of exercise. I also love to have someone counting e.g. when doing bench press.

Choose specific music

Create a playlist with music that you deliberately choose and that helps you to stay energised throughout the entire workout.

Pray

If you keep up the dialogue with God and ask him specifically for things like motivation, peace and joy you will be amazed by how much better and meaningful your workout will be.